This review is for their "A Night to Remember" live in Gothenburg double cd. I'm writing this review while listening to it.
The first appearance is quite nice, with a pentagram logo on the front of the slipcase, embossed with the lettering and design. At each corner of the star, you have the picture of each one of their albums. The real album cover is quite different and I'll reserve telling about it.
From the beginning, this album was made for the fans. The artwork has an orientation towards the fans. Some of the photography inside was submitted by the fans who went to the show. These fans, better known as The Evergrey Clan, were quite involved with the production. Their sounds were clear, but never overpowered the music in any way. Usually, the fan noise can take away from the show, but not in this case. The Clan was clearly part of the show. This was quite reminiscent of Accept's "Staying a Life" live in Osaka 1985 album. The Japanese crowd was charged and 100% behind the band, even singing the chorus during "Princess of the Dawn". The Masterplan, the closer, was no different.
The review:
There is an electronic intro, done in typical Evergrey style, with voices. This intro suddenly brings you right into the guitar lead at the beginning of Blinded and you're thrust into some heavy crunchy guitars, heavy drums, and some awesome keyboard sounds. Immediately noticeable was how big the sound is. All the players are easily noticed, as are the choir vocalists and the string quartet throughout even the heaviest of songs. Tom's voice is big and clear and fills the hall. He's displays the same emotional vocal performances as on the studio albums, only LOUDER.
Some of the songs have lengthened intros or new ones. This was a great touch that added to the ambience of the evening, as well as transitioning from some of their slower songs into their harder ones. Tom frequently used these, as well as other moments to charge the crowd, which they were more than happy to oblige with cheers of "HEY HEY HEY" and clapping.
The background singers during such songs as "More Than Ever" were big and filled the hall. They played a much larger role in this show that on the albums, where the vocals are muted and just for accents. The performance by the choir (headed by Carina Englund) was like this throughout. Softer songs such as "Waking Up Blind" were used to break up the harder sets. They lended class to the show, as well as displaying Evergrey's diversity in songwriting. "For Every Tear That Falls", Tom and Carina sang together. The sound was clear and the crowd gave thanks to Carina's appearance at the beginning.
Solos are awesome throughout the album, as is Michael's ferocious bass playing. The best way to describe the guitar work is "seamless". There doesn't appear to be any holes in the playing. Tom and Henrick trade off duties in a seamless fashion. They are quite faithful to the album versions.
Rikard's keyboard work was in his typical classy style and clearly audible throughout the show. He set the moods for many of the songs, as well as the atmosphere of the show. Songs like "Misled" perfectly show this, as well as displaying the cohesiveness of the string quartet, choir, Rikard, and the rest of Evergrey.
Jonas gave a suprising and amazing performance. It was obvious this guy was an exceptional talent prior to this show, but he completely outdid my expectations on "A Night to Remember". Jonas shows imagination in playing the old songs with new drum arrangements. His fills are original and quite interesting, reminiscent of some of the top prog drummers infused with the power of Paul Bostaph and Dave Lombardo. He definitely turns up the excitement in some of the Patrick Carlson era songs.
In summation, this was Evergrey in top form. Everyone was well represented, as well as all the different shades of Evergrey, from fast and ferocious metal, to classically infused softer songs. The sound is big. Ordinarily, I don't rank live albums with studio albums, but this one is such a step forward for live albums, in general.
"A Night to Remember" displays tremendous class and refinement, two qualities that tend to be lacking in hard metal.
The first appearance is quite nice, with a pentagram logo on the front of the slipcase, embossed with the lettering and design. At each corner of the star, you have the picture of each one of their albums. The real album cover is quite different and I'll reserve telling about it.
From the beginning, this album was made for the fans. The artwork has an orientation towards the fans. Some of the photography inside was submitted by the fans who went to the show. These fans, better known as The Evergrey Clan, were quite involved with the production. Their sounds were clear, but never overpowered the music in any way. Usually, the fan noise can take away from the show, but not in this case. The Clan was clearly part of the show. This was quite reminiscent of Accept's "Staying a Life" live in Osaka 1985 album. The Japanese crowd was charged and 100% behind the band, even singing the chorus during "Princess of the Dawn". The Masterplan, the closer, was no different.
The review:
There is an electronic intro, done in typical Evergrey style, with voices. This intro suddenly brings you right into the guitar lead at the beginning of Blinded and you're thrust into some heavy crunchy guitars, heavy drums, and some awesome keyboard sounds. Immediately noticeable was how big the sound is. All the players are easily noticed, as are the choir vocalists and the string quartet throughout even the heaviest of songs. Tom's voice is big and clear and fills the hall. He's displays the same emotional vocal performances as on the studio albums, only LOUDER.
Some of the songs have lengthened intros or new ones. This was a great touch that added to the ambience of the evening, as well as transitioning from some of their slower songs into their harder ones. Tom frequently used these, as well as other moments to charge the crowd, which they were more than happy to oblige with cheers of "HEY HEY HEY" and clapping.
The background singers during such songs as "More Than Ever" were big and filled the hall. They played a much larger role in this show that on the albums, where the vocals are muted and just for accents. The performance by the choir (headed by Carina Englund) was like this throughout. Softer songs such as "Waking Up Blind" were used to break up the harder sets. They lended class to the show, as well as displaying Evergrey's diversity in songwriting. "For Every Tear That Falls", Tom and Carina sang together. The sound was clear and the crowd gave thanks to Carina's appearance at the beginning.
Solos are awesome throughout the album, as is Michael's ferocious bass playing. The best way to describe the guitar work is "seamless". There doesn't appear to be any holes in the playing. Tom and Henrick trade off duties in a seamless fashion. They are quite faithful to the album versions.
Rikard's keyboard work was in his typical classy style and clearly audible throughout the show. He set the moods for many of the songs, as well as the atmosphere of the show. Songs like "Misled" perfectly show this, as well as displaying the cohesiveness of the string quartet, choir, Rikard, and the rest of Evergrey.
Jonas gave a suprising and amazing performance. It was obvious this guy was an exceptional talent prior to this show, but he completely outdid my expectations on "A Night to Remember". Jonas shows imagination in playing the old songs with new drum arrangements. His fills are original and quite interesting, reminiscent of some of the top prog drummers infused with the power of Paul Bostaph and Dave Lombardo. He definitely turns up the excitement in some of the Patrick Carlson era songs.
In summation, this was Evergrey in top form. Everyone was well represented, as well as all the different shades of Evergrey, from fast and ferocious metal, to classically infused softer songs. The sound is big. Ordinarily, I don't rank live albums with studio albums, but this one is such a step forward for live albums, in general.
"A Night to Remember" displays tremendous class and refinement, two qualities that tend to be lacking in hard metal.
